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what's in my sand?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:13 am
by briguy44
So I have had my FOWLR tank with my two GSPs up and running for a couple of weeks now. I have noticed while looking at the sand that is up against the glass that there is what looks like a mini ant colony with tiny tunnels weaving all through the substrate. So I am wondering is there is a specific type of bug that is doing this or is it just gas build up in the sand? Is it normal?
Re: what's in my sand?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:49 am
by sevenyearnight
Pods!
Re: what's in my sand?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:27 am
by Pufferpunk
All sorts of beneficial animals in there, helping to keep your sand & tank clean:
http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html
Scroll down to the pics.
This is why we go SW!
Re: what's in my sand?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:47 am
by geronimo69
Try this link also... Has all types of hitchikers from sand and/or rocks.
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchhikers.html
Re: what's in my sand?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 1:55 pm
by zookey
So with all of these things in the sand do you still "stir" it to release any gasses/bacteria that build up in it?
Sorry didn't mean to interrupt.
Re: what's in my sand?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:20 pm
by briguy44
Well that's just great!
It is kind of a relief to hear that things are progressing normal with my SW tank.
So with all of these things in the sand do you still "stir" it to release any gasses/bacteria that build up in it?
Sorry didn't mean to interrupt.
I was wondering the same thing.....I am also wondering how I am supposed to get the sand bed stirred in all the little caves and nooks under the live rock?
Re: what's in my sand?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:33 pm
by c333davis
I'm a SW newbie, too, as of January, and I've had some similar experiences, one of which I just posted about yesterday:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=26385
Re: what's in my sand?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:58 pm
by Pufferpunk
So with all of these things in the sand do you still "stir" it to release any gasses/bacteria that build up in it?
Absolutely not! Those creatures will slowly & safely release the bubbles themselves. You could add a bunch of nassarius snails to help with this.
Re: what's in my sand?
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:53 am
by geronimo69
Pufferpunk wrote:So with all of these things in the sand do you still "stir" it to release any gasses/bacteria that build up in it?
Absolutely not! Those creatures will slowly & safely release the bubbles themselves. You could add a bunch of nassarius snails to help with this.
Yeah, I agree with PP. Get some nessarius snails. They bury themselves int he sand and "pop" up when you feed the tank. It's awesome. I run a 3" sand bed in my 20 gallon marine tank. I've never stirred the sand once. Here's a bit of info on sand beds also...
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm